From the minds of Trey Parker and Matt Stone, utilizing construction paper and crass comedy, South Park has become a definitive and polarizing pillar of modern comedy television, following the misadventures of four boys in the Colorado town of South Park, and the colorful characters they encounter along the way. Spanning back to 1997, the series has produced a staggering 26 seasons (and counting) throughout its run, securing 18 Emmy Awards from 92 nominations in that time, and producing many brilliant seasons of comedy television.

South Park is almost always at its best when it blends scorching social commentary with an irreverent love of crude humor to hit the hard-at-home truths of American society in the most offensive and controversial ways possible. From early seasons loaded with faultless episodes taking aim at celebrities and entertainment, to more recent seasons with overarching political stories, these are the best South Park seasons, ranked.

20

Season 28 (2025)

Number of Episodes: 5

Image via Paramount+

South Park exploded back into mainstream consciousness with the launch of its 27th season in July 2025, which famously opened with an episode that depicted President Donald Trump and Satan as bed-buddies. Such brazen and unapologetically controversial satire not only raised plenty of eyebrows, but it also saw viewership of the series skyrocket. It seems the creators were eager to capitalize on this trending popularity, as Season 28 premiered in October 2025, less than a month after Season 27 finished.

Continuing the story exactly where it left off, it re-commits to its skewering political parody, highlighted by brilliant moments like Stan’s fourth-wall-breaking monologue about the series becoming “too political,” and a hilarious aside in which Melania Trump’s ghost haunts the East Wing of the White House. Outbursts of inspired excellence, however, struggle to completely overshadow the fact that Season 28’s brief five-episode run doesn’t give it a lot of time to say anything substantial, even as a continuation of the season prior. It’s good, outstanding even when it’s firing, but it doesn’t live up to the consistent perfection of the series’ greatest seasons.

19

Season 1 (1997)

Number of Episodes: 13

Image via Comedy Central

While it lacks the polish and politically pointed punch of the series’ latter seasons, South Park undeniably hit the ground running with an attention-grabbing and profoundly shocking first season. Debuting with “Cartman Gets an Anal Probe,” in which Cartman insists he was abducted by aliens and the boys only believe him when Ike is taken as well, the animated series immediately distinguished itself from other adult animated comedies with its absurdity and its crude humor.

Also containing such striking episodes as “Starvin’ Marvin,” in which the boys’ Ethiopian sponsor child shows up in South Park, and “Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poom,” which satires social sensitivities around religious holidays, Season 1 features many of the ideas, themes, and chaotic, controversial comedy that would define the series. Finishing on a high with “Cartman’s Mom is a Dirty Slut,” the season makes for a spectacular platform for all the carnage to come, even if it is a touch raw and unrefined when revisited today.

18

Season 2 (1998)

Number of Episodes: 18

Image via Comedy Central

Premiering just a month after Season 1 finished and containing the most episodes of any South Park season to date, the series’ sophomore outing presents more of the same erratic fun that made its debut season such a hit, while still finding time to deepen its characters across the board. While it has a couple of misfires, namely its premiere “Terrence and Phillip in Not Without My Anus”, Season 2 is largely defined by its consistency more so than its highlights.

That being said, “Cartman’s Mom is Still a Dirty Slut” offers plenty of hilarity as a callback to the Season 1 finale, while episodes like the bizarre “Gnomes”—which introduces the boys’ twitchy classmate Tweek—and “Spookyfish” are also noteworthy standouts. Also rife with celebrity cameos and plenty of offensive antics, Season 2 maintained the first season’s comedic zest and was instrumental in ensuring the series developed a steadfast fanbase for decades to come.

17

Season 4

Number of Episodes: 17

Image via Comedy Central

Like many of South Park’s earliest seasons, Season 4 is a sporadic and venomous satire of contemporary issues, featuring the series’ appetite for social commentary at its most barbed and frenzied. As such, its highlights are truly incredible and surprisingly enduring, with such episodes as “Cartman Joins NAMBLA,” “Cherokee Hair Tampons,” and “The Wacky Molestation Adventure” remembered as having a particularly strong impact upon release while losing none of their comedic punch over the years.

Interestingly, the season also contains what is widely regarded to be the series’ weakest installment in “Pip,” a parody of Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations” that doesn’t feature any of the core South Park characters and is narrated by Malcolm McDowell. A season of highs and lows, Season 4 is ultimately defined by its greatest triumphs, which display South Park at its irreverent and outrageous best.

16

Season 18

Number of Episodes: 10

Image via Comedy Central

While South Park has always featured ongoing gags and recurring characters, Season 18 marked the series’ introduction of seasons having serial plots throughout. Though experimental and largely reserved, the series famously explores ongoing subplots such as Randy Marsh being Lorde and Eric Cartman’s efforts to create an online gaming persona to capitalize on the interest in gaming YouTubers among younger audiences.

The season’s balance between isolated narratives and ongoing subplots is an intriguing one. It enables the series to maintain its sporadic irreverence by exploring new narrative ideas in each episode while also seeing the direct and indirect consequences of the boys’ actions become more apparent and even central to the story. Intriguing in its experiments yet maintaining the show’s week-to-week flexibility, Season 18 strikes the ideal balance between serialized storytelling and one-off episodes. Some of its best entries include “The Cissy,” “Grounded Vindaloop,” and “Cock Magic.”

15

Season 15 (2011)

Number of episodes: 14

Image via Comedy Central

Season 15 of South Park is noted by fans to be more introspective than previous seasons, as it takes a look at the show’s impact on the fans and the world. A noteworthy episode in the season is “You’re Getting Old,” following Stan as he turns ten and starts seeing everything around him as literal crap. The scene of Stan’s parents’ separation, needle dropped by Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide,” is a stark departure from the show’s usual comedic chaos.

Despite its introspective tone, the laughs are still plentiful in Season 15. “The Last of the Meheecans” finds the boys playing a border patrol game that hilariously spirals into a biting social commentary on immigration. The episode masterfully balances humor and sharp wit, with Butters’ absurd transformation into “Mantequilla” becoming an instant fan favorite. This episode exemplifies South Park at its best—equal parts outrageous and thought-provoking—while elevating the season given some of its less than stellar low points.

14

Season 3 (1999)

Number of episodes: 17

Image via Comedy Central

By the time Season 3 of South Park premiered in 1999, the show had already solidified its reputation as a groundbreaking animated series. Season 3 continued the show’s trajectory of irreverent humor and satirical flair, capitalizing on the momentum generated in the previous season. A particularly memorable episode is “Rainforest Shmainforest,” which sees the boys joining a choir group and flying to Costa Rica. The episode is a satirical take on environmental activism and cultural ignorance, with its unforgettable musical number, “Don’t Cut Down the Rainforest” and a spectacular guest appearance from Jennifer Aniston.

While the season may be sparse in terms of all-time series highlights beyond “Rainforest Shmainforest,” it doesn’t present any blatant misfires either. “Sexual Harassment Panda” would be regarded by many to be another gem of the season, with its blend of absurd plotting and biting underlying commentary about how issues of sexual harassment are handled in schools. Add in such irreverent and joyously juvenile episodes like “World Wide Recorder Concert”, in which the boys learn of a defecation-inducing mythical musical note, and Season 3 is a wonderful array of comedy styles that revels in the plain dumb fun of its animated antics.

13

Season 7 (2003)

Number of episodes: 15

Image via Comedy Central

In Season 7, Kenny, the gang’s perpetually doomed friend, returns from his cosmic hiatus. His absence in Season 6 left fans clutching their Cheesy Poofs in existential despair. Culturally, South Park was a reflection of the early 2000s, a time marked by political upheaval and rapid technological advancements. The show mirrored these changes, often skewering the absurdities of contemporary life.

One of the most celebrated episodes from Season 7 is “Casa Bonita,” a masterclass in character-driven comedy that follows Cartman’s elaborate scheme to secure an invitation to Kyle’s birthday party at the titular Mexican restaurant. However, the season contains plenty of other highlights, from celebrity-targeting episodes like “Fat Butt and Pancake Head” to entries that parody religious music like “Christian Rock Hard.” Also mocking gang wars, metrosexuality, and everything else that was an inflammatory topic in 2003, South Park‘s seventh season represents the show at its most punchy and profound.

12

Season 27 (2025)

Number of Episodes: 5

Image via Comedy Central/Paramount+

After a wait of almost two years since the finale of Season 26, South Park wasted no time in showing it still had the satirical wrath and absurdist, shock-value genius to not only touch on trending issues, but take a sledgehammer to them with reckless abandon. While featuring just five episodes that aired from July to September 2025, Season 27 makes its presence felt with searing and relentless social commentary.

Lampooning everything from the administration of President Donald Trump and the nature of political discourse in modern-day America to cultural anxieties surrounding A.I., the belligerent nature of ICE, and even Israel’s actions in the war with Palestine, South Park’s 27th season epitomizes the series at its most societally attuned and aggressive. Its five-episode run does leave something to be desired as it prevents the season from forming an elaborate, serialized story with any might, but its best moments exemplify why South Park is such a cultural phenomenon.

11

Season 17 (2013)

Number of Episodes: 10

Image via Comedy Central

Featuring masterpieces of parody and skewering satire, Season 17 thrives as an almighty takedown of the pop culture and political scene of the early 2010s. Among its boldest and most pointed episodes are “World War Zimmermann,” a gasp-worthy episode that examines the George Zimmermann trial while parodying World War Z, and “Informative Murder Porn,” in which the children of South Park grow concerned over their parents’ consumption of violent television and use the videogame Minecraft to distract them.

However, the season’s magnum opus, and one of the greatest triumphs of South Park at large, comes in the form of the three-episode arc that sees the children split over which new gaming console they should all buy. It explores the division between the kids by parodying Game of Thrones, making for a relentlessly hilarious South Park trilogy rife with razor-sharp social commentary and outstanding referential gags.

To fully understand some things, it’s best to go back to the beginning, and that seems to be the case with Kevin Costner‘s sweeping Western project Horizon: An American Saga, which was originally billed as a four-film saga. It begins with Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1, which will soon begin streaming video on demand on Prime Video later this month. The Western first made its debut at the world premiere at the 2024 Cannes International Film Festival on May 19, 2024, and things went south pretty fast, as the film was slapped with damning reviews. With a production budget of $100 million prior to marketing costs, it was disappointing when Horizon Chapter 1 earned $29 million domestically and $9.8 million internationally for a worldwide box office total of $38.8 million.

Co-written, directed, and starring Costner, the first Horizon movie would quickly pivot to digital streaming via premium video on demand less than three weeks after its premiere in July 2024. However, the damage to the project, which was originally planned to chronicle the expansion of the American West before and after the Civil War over a 15-year period, was already done. The planned August 16, 2024, release of Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 was pulled from the calendar and still hasn’t been seen by the vast majority of the movie-viewing public.

Chapter 2 was seen by a small audience at film festivals, and the bad reviews persisted with the second installment. So what is actually happening with Costner’s Horizon? According to a new report, a Warner Bros. source, the studio charged with domestic distribution has shared that a 2026 release in theaters for the second Horizon film is presently “not in the plans” at the studio. The Horizon project is “frozen” in place largely due to the legal issues the film’s director and star, Costner, is embroiled in. On the one hand, Costner was sued for allegedly failing to pay over $350K in costume rentals on Chapter 2, while in a separate suit, a stunt double has sued the filmmakers for sexual harassment in an assault scene that was allegedly unscripted. Both cases remain unresolved, and as such, the project remains hindered.

What Is in the Future of ‘Horizon’?

As of this moment, the future of the Horizon saga remains both uncertain and bleak. With the pending cases, Chapter 2 will likely remain in limbo, awaiting a release strategy. Horizon was being positioned as an epic saga, with the first film boasting an incredibly robust cast featuring Sam Worthington, Sienna Miller, Abbey Lee, Luke Wilson, Danny Huston, and Tatanka Means, with all delivering inspired performances. Costner has vehemently denied any form of wrongdoing on the project’s set, which has hampered something that is a passion project for the director. Is there hope for the project going forward? While Costner and actor Huston remain firm believers in its potential success. Fellow project star, Worthington, is more reserved, noting any future success would depend on “whether it’s the right time for people to embrace it.”

It’s unclear at this time when Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 will be released. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates on the situation.

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Release Date

June 28, 2024

Runtime

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182 minutes

Producers

Howard Kaplan, Mark Gillard

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Days of Our Lives 2-week spoilers for May 4-15, 2026 divulge Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk) panicking and then getting into a twisted hookup situation with Xander Kiriakis (Paul Telfer), plus the DiMera will reading and some big returns. So, let’s jump right into our spoilers for the two weeks of May 4th through the 15th. Lots to talk about.

Days of Our Lives Spoilers Monday, May 4th: Kristen DiMera in a Panic

So, on Monday, May 4th, we’ve got Chanel Dupree DiMera (Raven Bowens) rushing to comfort Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman). He is at Salem University Hospital after Sophia Choi (Rachel Boyd) nearly burned him up. We’re going to see Chanel very upset, very worried. She crawls into bed with Johnny and holds him close.

Plus, Kristen and EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) bicker and they swap nasty accusations. Kristen is probably feeling pretty cocky about now because Sophia assured her she killed Johnny before Kristen killed Sophia, but I’m guessing EJ is going to get a call saying that Johnny survived an attack from Sophia, and Kristen’s going to be angry and possibly a little panicked.

Jada Hunter (Elia Cantu) reveals Sophia’s dire fate. So, it looks like they find her backpack, find her shoes floating around and some blood, but they are not finding her body. Cat Green (AnnaLynne McCord) gets Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering) up to speed. Maybe about EJ being replaced with Theo Carver (Cameron Johnson) as Stefano DiMera’s (Joseph Mascolo) executor and Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) being added as a beneficiary. Plus, Leo Stark (Greg Rikkart) really wants to see Javi Hernandez. Last week, of course, the firefighter inhaled some toxic vapors at Johnny’s. So, will he send Leo away or see him?

DOOL Spoilers Tuesday, May 5th: Alex Stuck in a Tough Spot

On Tuesday, May 5th, we’ve got Joy Wesley (AlexAnn Hopkins) and Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson) talking at the pub. He asked Joy if she wants to stay in Salem and she tells Alex yes because he really wants her to stay.

Also this week, Joy and the baby are up at the pub when Stephanie Johnson (Abigail Klein) runs into her. I’m sure she’s going to have some things to say to Joy about the lies and Alex is probably going to be stuck between them soon.

Sophia is the hot topic of conversation as Tate Black (Leo Howard), Holly Jonas (Ashley Puzemis), and Ari catch up. So, I wonder if the college kids have heard about Sophia’s apparent suicide or more about the note she left blaming Holly for being a bully.

Jada brings Amy Choi (Shi Ne Neilson) down to the Salem PD and tells her they found blood near Sophia’s shoes and the backpack and the blood may be a match for Sophia. Stephanie opens up to Julie Williams (Susan Seaforth) about her frustrations, likely about Alex having a baby daughter with Joy.

I do wonder if she’s going to tell Julie that Jeremy Horton (Michael Roark) is why Joy came to Salem. Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) gets advice from Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier).

I wonder if this is about the forged divorce papers. I wonder if he has samples of Vivian Almain (Louise Sorel) writing that could be used to prove that Stefan DiMera (Brandon Barash) name was a forgery. Going at it from a different direction.

Days Spoilers for Wednesday, May 6th: Sophia Stuns Kristen

Wednesday, May 6th, Roman Brady (Josh Taylor) wants Kate Roberts (Lauren Koslow) to take a step back. So, I wonder if this is Roman telling Kate to keep her distance from him or if it is about Johnny. I’m sure Roman is headed up to check on Johnny because next week he’s talking to Marlena at the hospital.

And may not want Kate there after what she did, even if she also wants to check on Johnny. EJ warns Kristen after he implies she has something to do with Sophia attacking Johnny. I’m sure EJ is going to make it clear he will kill her if he finds out Kristen played a role in his son’s attack.

Later, she is alone in the DiMera living room and hears a noise and she calls out to EJ asking if it’s him. It’s not. A bloody Sophia walks into the DiMera living room and she tells Kristen she looks like she’s seen a ghost. Sophia’s body wasn’t found. So, is she alive and vengeful, or is she dead and vengefully haunting? Theo has mixed feelings about his mom, Lexie Carver‘s (Nikki Crawford) resurrection. I think the waiting game is eating at him.

It’s awkward when Chad DiMera (Connor Floyd) and Cat run into each other in Horton Town Square. Obviously, she’s still got feels for Chad, but Thomas still hates Cat, so it can’t go anywhere. Marlena offers comfort and advice to Johnny. She’s visiting him up at his room at the hospital. And I wonder if he needs some trauma counseling after this Sophia ordeal.

Days of Our Lives Spoilers Thursday, May 7th: Stephanie Fed Up

Thursday, May 7th, Alex and Justin Kiriakis (Wally Kurth) are bonding over fatherhood at the Kiriakis mansion. And also, Gabi has a chat with Alex at the mansion. I wonder if Gabi is offering some parenting advice as well. Stephanie is increasingly frustrated about her life and Joy’s baby and them now being part of Alex’s life and she is ranting to Jada about the totality of it all.

Roman wants the whole truth from Kate all of it. So, will she finally come clean on plotting with Xander to trick Johnny into publishing Bonnie Kiriakis’ (Judi Evans) knockoff novel? Or will Kate lie more? My money is on more lies. Gabi and Arianna Hernandez (Vico Escorcia).

Ari’s intent that she’s going to see Liam Selejko (Hank Northrop), no matter how much Gabi hates it. Johnny comforts an upset Chanel. This may be when she tells Johnny about the scans and the bad signs that she has a malignant tumor. Chanel may hold out until Johnny is stable and feeling better after his ordeal.

Friday, May 8th on DOOL: Kristen and Marlena Bicker

Friday, May 8th, Kristen is bickering with Marlena about Rachel Black (Lorelie Olivia Mote). If you remember, Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) put Marlena back on the approved visitors list for Rachel, and Kristen may be furious that Brady overturned her ban.

Kristen is still blaming everybody but herself for what has happened to Rachel. Leo tells Cat that he will cover for her. And I wonder if this is something to do with the will reading or the lab. Leo is itching to get in on the DiMera family drama.

Gabi stakes a claim on Friday. I wonder if she’s going to turn up at the will reading as Stefan’s widow rather than his ex-wife. Gabi may want his share. But knowing the DiMeras, she will need hard evidence about Vivian’s forgery of the divorce docs.

Plus, Chad tries to reassure Theo. And I wonder if this is just his stress over the will reading and being Stefano’s executor. But we all know that Theo is really stressed about Lexie. That’s the big thing. And he can’t tell anybody. EJ makes final preparations for Stefano’s will reading. He’s coordinating with Cat even though he’s not his father’s executor anymore.

Tony DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) tells Anna Dimera (Leann Hunley) it’s good to be back. They are at the DiMera mansion and she asked Tony if passing on any of Stefano’s inheritance and last wishes is really a good thing. The will reading may start on Friday, but I can almost guarantee that it will run over into the following week.

Week of May 11th-15th on Days of Our Lives: Stunning Secrets Come to Light at Stefano’s Will Reading!

And then spoilers for May 11th through the 15th say that Stefano’s last will and testament stuns with secrets and bequests. Will there be surprise guests? We’ll see. Sophia continues to torment Kristen. We’ll see her arguing with Sophia. But the question is, is Kristen bickering with a hallucination or an angry teenager that she tried to murder?

You know, do we have a zombie? Do we have a ghost? What is it? Amy may want to press charges against Holly for bullying Sophia into suicide as her final note claims. Xander still wants DiMera revenge. And with Gwen kicked out of the mansion, looks like Xander may pivot. Official Days of Our Lives spoilers say Kristen and Xander get down and dirty.

What? Have they ever before? I mean, they’ve been partners in crime in the past. I don’t remember them getting intimate, but maybe I just blocked it from my mind. But this may be about Kristen offering to help him destroy EJ. Or Kristen may want protection from EJ and offers Xander anything he wants.

And Javi may realize he loves Leo, but isn’t ready to give him another chance thanks to this life and death crisis. Steve Johnson (Stephen “Patch” Nichols) and Kayla Brady (Mary Beth Evans) enjoy some romance. Ari and Liam kiss soon. And Jada and Shawn Brady (Brandon Beemer) heat up.

Lizzo is digging in as a legal battle that has shadowed her career continues to unfold.

The Grammy-winning star insists she has nothing to hide, even as accusations from former dancers linger.

With new music arriving and public opinion shifting, she is choosing a tougher path rather than a quiet resolution.

Lizzo made it clear during her appearance on “CBS Mornings” that she has no intention of settling the lawsuit brought against her by former backup dancers in 2023.

Speaking with Gayle King, she acknowledged that walking away with a settlement might be the easier option, but she is not interested in taking that route.

“Most people would [settle],” Lizzo told King per Billboard. “I think it is an easy out, but I’m fighting the case because I know that it’s not true.”

The singer maintained that her decision is rooted in confidence that the claims will not stand.

She also expressed eagerness to see the situation resolved in court, adding, “I cannot wait for it to be dismissed,” while explaining that she has taken the case seriously “because of what I mean to people.”

Lizzo Says Truth Will Prevail Over Headlines

Despite the ongoing controversy, Lizzo insists she is not intimidated by the legal process or the attention surrounding it.

For her, the long-term outcome matters more than the current noise.

“The truth will come out,” she said during the interview. “And that’s why I’m not afraid of it. The truth is less salacious than the headlines.”

Her legal team has also strongly pushed back against the accusations, previously describing the lawsuit as a “fabricated sob story” while maintaining her innocence.

The case itself includes serious allegations, with the dancers accusing Lizzo of pressuring them into inappropriate situations at a sex show in Amsterdam, as well as claims of racial and religious discrimination.

Lawsuit Claims And Dismissals Add Complexity

In December, a judge dismissed claims that Lizzo had fat-shamed her dancers.

Following that decision, the artist addressed the issue directly in an Instagram video, revealing how deeply the accusations had affected her.

“This claim has haunted me since the day it came out … I will be fighting every single claim until the truth is out,” she said at the time.

She went further, firmly rejecting the narrative surrounding her treatment of employees.

“There was no evidence that I fired them because they gained weight. Because it never happened,” Lizzo stated. “They weren’t fired for gaining weight. They were fired for taking a private recording of me without my consent and sending it off to ex-employees. I have never fired an employee for gaining weight. I have only encouraged and supported people with bigger bodies and shared my platform with them.”

Although portions of the case have been dismissed, the remaining claims are still pending, leaving the situation unresolved.

Lizzo’s New Music Era Meets Mixed Reception

As the legal battle continues, Lizzo is pressing forward with her music career.

She is preparing to release her upcoming album “B-tch” on June 5 and recently shared a preview of the title track on X.

In her caption, she framed the song as a statement of empowerment. “This song is dedicated to the women who get called a b-tch for having boundaries, for being sexual, for speaking up for themselves, for working hard and owning businesses… If we don’t smile and perform all the time, we’re ‘ungrateful.’ If we run a strict program, we’re ‘mean.’”

The black-and-white music video features Lizzo alongside dancers dressed in black, with the track drawing inspiration from Meredith Brooks’ 1997 hit.

However, the response online has not been entirely supportive. As The Blast reported, some listeners were quick to criticize both the song and her current direction, with one user writing, “Girl, how many ‘anthems’ are you gonna pull out of your a-s? Weren’t you a rapper? I guess that was only for an award.”

Another person referenced Nicki Minaj, posting, “Hang it up, flat screen,” alongside a GIF. A separate comment mocked her recent chart performance, saying, “Must’ve run out of Velcro cause uhh..Ain’t nothing sticking.”

One more user added, “This sounds really corny, Lizzo. This I’m a thing was everywhere in the Obama administration, and people hated it. Now you reheat it?”

The criticism follows the lukewarm reception of her previous single, “Don’t Make Me Love You,” which struggled to gain traction in key markets.

Lizzo Stays Grounded Amid Ongoing Pressure

Even with mounting scrutiny, Lizzo appears determined to stay focused on her craft and personal outlook.

When asked how she has remained steady through the legal turmoil, she pointed to her own sense of self-assurance.

“I know the music is good, and I know my heart is good,” she told Gayle King.

She continued, “If I know that, I have nothing to worry about.”

For now, Lizzo is choosing to face both the courtroom and the court of public opinion head-on.

With her case still unresolved and her new era underway, the coming months could prove pivotal for both her reputation and her career trajectory.

Lizzo Stays Grounded Amid Ongoing Pressure

Even with mounting scrutiny, Lizzo appears determined to stay focused on her craft and personal outlook.

When asked how she has remained steady through the legal turmoil, she pointed to her own sense of self-assurance.

“I know the music is good, and I know my heart is good,” she told Gayle King.

She continued, “If I know that, I have nothing to worry about.”

For now, Lizzo is choosing to face both the courtroom and the court of public opinion head-on.

With her case still unresolved and her new era underway, the coming months could prove pivotal for both her reputation and her career trajectory.

Britney Spears took a plea deal in her DUI case during her Monday, May 4, hearing, Us Weekly can confirm.

Spears, 44, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol — known as “wet reckless driving” — at the hearing, which her attorney attended on her behalf.

“Through her plea today, Britney has accepted responsibility for her conduct,” Spears’ attorney, Michael Goldstein, told Us in a statement. “She has taken significant steps to implement positive change which is clearly reflected in the Ventura County District Attorney’s decision to reduce the charge in this case and dismiss the DUI. Britney appreciates this discretion and is also grateful for the outpouring of support she has received.”

As part of her plea deal, Spears was sentenced to 12 months of probation and one day in jail, with credit for the time she spent in custody. She is also required to complete a DUI class and pay state-mandated fines and fees of $571.

Additionally, Spears must see a psychologist once a week and a psychiatrist twice a month.

Related: Britney Spears Is 3 Weeks Sober, Attending AA Meetings After DUI Arrest

Britney Spears is working on herself following her recent DUI arrest. Us Weekly understands that Spears, 44, has been sober since her DUI arrest, which occurred three weeks ago. The pop star is also attending AA meetings. Us Weekly has reached out to Spears’ rep for comment. Earlier this month, Spears was arrested in Ventura […]

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Us previously confirmed that Spears was arrested on March 4 for driving under the influence near her home in California. She was booked at 3:02 a.m. the next morning and released the same day.

Spears was allegedly seen veering “in and out of lanes,” speeding and “swerving and driving with no tail light” in a black BMW convertible prior to her arrest, according to 911 audio obtained by Us.

“This was an unfortunate incident that is completely inexcusable,” Spears’ rep told Us in a statement after her release from jail. “Britney is going to take the right steps and comply with the law, and hopefully this can be the first step in long overdue change that needs to occur in Britney’s life. Hopefully, she can get the help and support she needs during this difficult time.”

The pop star’s spokesperson added, “Her loved ones are going to come up with an overdue, needed plan to set her up for success for well-being.”

Spears’ rep also noted that her sons, Preston, 20, and Jayden, 19 — whom she shares with ex-husband Kevin Federline — would be “spending time with her” after her release.

Related: How Britney Spears’ Family Feels About Pop Star’s DUI Arrest

Britney Spears‘ loved ones want the pop star to get help following her arrest for driving under the influence. “I hope this is a wake-up call for her,” a family source exclusively tells Us Weekly. Spears, 44, was arrested near her home in Ventura County, California, on Wednesday, March 4, at 9:28 p.m., according to […]

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One month later, Spears’ rep told Us that the Grammy winner had voluntarily checked into a treatment facility.

“Britney went to rehab after several conversations with both of her sons,” an insider exclusively told Us in April. “They expressed concern about her recent behavior and urged her to seek professional help, which has been long overdue, to get her back on track. All they’ve ever wanted for their mom is health and happiness, even during the years they were estranged. They hope she’ll take it seriously.”

A separate source said that Spears “went in to show she is taking it seriously” at the behest of her two children.

Spears’ choice to go in voluntarily and seek treatment was also due in part to her being “very scared about the possibility of jail time or some other form of serious repercussions,” the first insider told Us last month, noting she “recognized that getting ahead of things” would “help her case.”

Related: Britney Spears Returns to Instagram With Son Jayden After DUI Arrest

Britney Spears is back on Instagram three weeks after her DUI arrest. Spears, 44, took to the social media site on Friday, March 27, with a video featuring her son Jayden, 19, whom she shares with ex-husband Kevin Federline. (The pair are also parents of son Sean Preston, 20.) The montage featured several clips of […]

While Spears was seeking treatment, Us confirmed on Thursday, April 30, that she was charged with one count of “VC” or “vehicle code section 23152” better known as driving under the influence.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that Spears would be arraigned on Monday but her presence was “not required” as she was facing a misdemeanor charge.

“This DUI case will be handled according to our standard protocols. For defendants without a prior DUI history, a low blood alcohol level, and where there is no crash or injury, prosecutors typically offer what is known as a ‘wet reckless,’” the DA’s office told Us in a statement. “This law allows a defendant to plead guilty to reckless driving involving alcohol and/or drugs.”

Related: Britney Spears’ 2026 DUI Arrest: Details About Her Plea Deal, More

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Britney Spears was arrested for driving under the influence on March 4. She pleaded guilty to “wet reckless driving” to avoid jail time two months later. Following her March arrest, Spears voluntarily went into a treatment center in April and was officially charged with a DUI on April 30. That same month, Spears’ lawyer represented […]

The attorneys’ office explained, “This type of resolution is common, particularly when a defendant demonstrates self-motivation to address underlying issues through rehabilitation or a drug and alcohol treatment program.”

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According to the DA’s office, Spears would be “extended” the “wet reckless” offer during her hearing. If she accepted the offer, the “Hit Me Baby One More Time” singer would be placed on probation for 12 months.

The defendant would also receive “credit for any time spent in custody” while being required to “complete a DUI class, and must pay state-mandated fines and fees,” per the statement, which was the deal she made on Monday.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

By Joshua Tyler
| Published 5 seconds ago

In 2009, with time running out for the Sci-Fi Channel, which was soon to change its name to SyFy so it could run less science fiction, they threw one final Hail Mary in the form of a made-for-TV space movie called Star Runners. To make it work, they plucked the best cast member out of Star Trek: Enterprise and made him their lead. Then they botched everything else.

Star Runners starts out with old-school pulp lettering in the credits and an outer space chase sequence. That seems sci-fi enough, doesn’t it? Former Trek helmsman Connor Trinneer stars as Tycho, and Heroes’ best-buddy James Kyson Lee is Lei Chen, a pair of transport pilots or “star runners” with an illegal shipment to slip past the feds.

At first, despite the cheaply constructed sets around them, the duo’s chemistry works. They’re going for a Han Solo/Chewbacca dynamic here, with our heroes as smugglers shaking patrols and cracking wise at one another.

It doesn’t last, and Star Runners never quite works. Trinneer and Lee soon devolve into playing their characters as if they’ve just taken a heavy dose of sleeping pills, despite the fact that the script seems to be trying, even if it’s not succeeding.

Unfortunately, Tycho and Chen are soon captured and blackmailed by the government into picking up a mysterious shipment and dragging it back to them. The bad acting in Star Runners continues as they hop in their ship and jump into hyperspace using special effects taken straight out of the original Star Wars.

That’s not a complaint, mind you; some of the outer space effects in Star Runners have a great, retro feel, and when they don’t feel like an homage to something else, they turn into a straight ripoff of the more recent Battlestar Galactica, which isn’t really such a bad thing. The outer space effects nearly work, but before they cost them too much money, everyone ends up on the ground.

Tycho and Chen get the package. It’s a girl with amnesia, and they immediately dress her to look exactly like Alice in Resident Evil. It’s the same outfit, in a slightly different color, but it’s obvious that the costuming department has read the script and realized that we’re headed for a Resident Evil ripoff.

Or maybe it’s more of a Resident Evil, Pitch Black ripoff since it happens on an alien planet and we’re fighting head-decapitating spiders instead of the undead. Either way, as soon as our mystery girl gets dressed, it’s off to find an excuse to strand them all on a dangerous planet.

The problem here is that Star Runners eventually ends up where every bad Sci-Fi Channel project from that era does: fighting badly rendered CGI monsters. Once upon a time, when you didn’t have the budget necessary to make your sci-fi flick happen, you’d throw in an alien in a bikini or something to distract your audience from the bad matte paintings and cardboard control panels.

By 2009, we were long past the age of movies like Species. Those space babes had been replaced by computer-generated monsters.

So after the most PG strip club scene in the universe, Star Runners skips past the idea of bikini babes and instead hides its puritanical inefficiencies behind half-assed CGI spiders. When it comes to those spiders, it’s quantity over quality.

The working theory here seems to be that the quality of the CGI monsters doesn’t matter as long as there are a lot of them. Having just sat through Star Runners for two hours, built almost entirely on this assumption, I’m pretty sure the opposite is true.

Star Runners was the last gasp of a different era, but also a prime example of what killed it. The Sci-Fi Channel died, partly because it leaned into low-effort movies like this one rather than the edgier content that made it relevant in the first place.

Today, Star Runners has been all but erased from existence. It’s not available on legal streaming anywhere, and good luck finding a DVD. Only a very few exist, and none of them are for sale on Amazon. Some are old copies of the official DVD; most are probably burned copies taken from someone’s grandpa’s DVR recording.

Maybe erasing Star Runners from existence is for the best. We’re all better off remembering Connor Trinneer’s career high point as Enterprise’s affable Trip Tucker.

Princess Diana’s unforgettable 1996 Met Gala appearance is back in the spotlight amid claims that she helped inspire Anna Wintour to transform the event forever.

The late Princess of Wales attended the famous fashion fundraiser during one of the most scrutinized periods of her life, instantly turning heads with a bold outfit that is still discussed decades later.

Now, fresh claims suggest Wintour’s drive to reshape the Met into “fashion’s biggest night out” may have been fueled by Diana’s star power after the Vogue matriarch reportedly missed the chance to host the princess herself.

In a chat with The Times, former American Vogue senior accessories director Filipa Fino claimed that Wintour’s fashion rival, Elizabeth Tilberis, played a key role in bringing Diana to the gala in 1996.

The princess’s attendance was a major coup for Tilberis and reportedly left Wintour frustrated that her competition had beaten her to such a high-profile royal moment.

That frustration was allegedly deepened by the fact that Wintour never got a chance to host Diana herself, as the princess died months after the outing. However, Fino claimed the missed opportunity became part of Wintour’s motivation to elevate the Met Gala into the global fashion spectacle it is today.

“This seed of Anna never being able to host Diana at the Met, and her vision of what it should be like, worthy of a princess, is what drove her from 1996 to today. She took on the Costume Institute Ball as her own personal project,” she said.

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Diana Removed The Corset From Her Met Gala Dress

Diana’s appearance at the event wasn’t the only thing that caught attention. Her dress, designed by British designer John Galliano, also drew significant interest in a manner that even surprised the designer himself.

In the Hulu docuseries “In Vogue: The 90s,” Galliano described being approached to dress the late princess and saw the opportunity as “a blessing.” Work on the gown began in earnest, ultimately resulting in a blue, lingerie-inspired, bias-cut slip dress with lace straps, originally designed with a corset.

However, just at the event, Diana made a personal adjustment by removing the corset Galliano had included in the design.

“Fast-forward to the event, and I just remember her getting out of the car,” the designer said, per Newsweek. “I was like [shock]. I couldn’t believe it. She’d ripped the corset out.”

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Princess Diana’s ‘Felt Liberated’ By The Design Alteration

According to Galliano, Diana’s last-minute alteration carried a deeper meaning, seemingly reflecting her sense of freedom following the end of her marriage.

“She didn’t want to wear the corset,” he said. “She felt so liberated. She’d torn the corset out.”

The change also transformed the feel of the gown, making it far more “sensuous” than originally intended. It intensified the attention around Diana as she arrived at the fashion event, with paparazzi swarming to capture the moment.

“The cameras went mental. The paparazzi was blinding, which made the dress really bling and the jewels and everything,” Galliano added.

Diana ‘Captivated’ People

Wintour also reflected on Diana’s magnetic appeal in the same docuseries, recalling how strongly people were drawn to the late princess at the time.

According to Wintour, Diana “captivated” people, and her love for fashion only heightened the attention around her while boosting her global appeal.

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“I think all of us were so captivated and fascinated by Princess Diana,” Wintour shared. “At that time, she was the most famous woman in the world. She was enjoying fashion and the spotlight that she put on, particularly British designers.”

Princess Diana Left The Met Gala Event Early

After delivering a show-stopping appearance at the Met, Diana slipped away before midnight, just as the after-party dancing was about to begin.

Looking back at the event, fashion designer Mica Traynor claimed her absence was felt by many who were hoping to see her take to the dance floor.

“I didn’t feel she was actually here. I just wanted to see her dance once, but no luck,” she said.

Debutante Crickett Richards also noted the same eagerness from attendees to see Diana at the after-party.

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“They paid to see her, and, to all intents and purposes, she did not show up,” Richards added.

Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace had such high expectations that it seemed like there was nothing George Lucas could do to appease the fans, and the film ended up being considered to be a major disappointment. While there were multiple aspects of the story and filmmaking that were divisive, the most significant amount of backlash went to the character of Jar Jar Binks, the clumsy Gungan played by newcomer Ahmed Best. There was a notable lack of Jar Jar in the next two films in the trilogy, as he had only two speaking scenes in Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones and only appeared for a brief cameo in Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith. However, Jar Jar was part of a mysterious deleted scene from Revenge of the Sith that has not been included on any of the home video releases.

Jar Jar Binks Had a Bigger Role in ‘Revenge of the Sith’

According to an interview that Best conducted with the Heroes Journey podcast, Revenge of the Sith included a scene set after the creation of the Galactic Empire in which Jar Jar was thanked by Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) for his role in helping to take down the Jedi Order. Although a plethora of deleted scenes from the first six films in the Star Wars franchise were included on a 2012 Blu-Ray release, the sequence that Best referred to was not among them. Jar Jar has been given a bigger role in some of the subsequent Star Wars comics and novels, but none have mentioned the connection that he shared with Darth Sidious. However, Jar Jar’s potentially villainous role isn’t all that surprising when considering how he was manipulated over the course of the prequel trilogy.

Jar Jar attracted a lot of criticism upon his debut because it seemed implausible that a goofy, rambunctious character would keep getting opportunities, as he is considered to be a hero after the Battle of Naboo in The Phantom Menace. However, Lucas included a fair amount of political commentary in the prequels, and it makes sense that Jar Jar would be made a representative in the Galactic Senate by Palpatine, as they share a home planet. In Attack of the Clones, Jar Jar is manipulated into calling a vote in favor of giving emergency powers to the Supreme Chancellor when he is tasked with taking Padme Amidala’s (Natalie Portman) place in the Senate when she is dispatched home to remain safe. It’s because of this vote that Palpatine is given newfound authority, which allows him to create the Grand Army of the Republic using the Clone Troopers from Kamino. In Revenge of the Sith, he sends out a message to the clones that calls for them to executive “Order 66,” which means that they must kill all of the Jedi.

Jar Jar was obviously not aware of this plot, as he is friends with Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen). However, Palpatine has taken advantage of the greed of the Senate to make himself more powerful, as he convinces them to applaud him when he decides to initiate the Galactic Empire. Since Jar Jar never makes contact with any of the other Jedi after Order 66 is called, it’s possible that he believed the conspiracy Palpatine started about the Jedi Order had attempted to take over the Republic. Jar Jar is also never made aware of the true identity of Darth Vader, and thus believed the story that Palpatine told about how Padme died. The only subsequent detail learned about Jar Jar is that he was exiled by his people for inadvertently helping create the Empire, but the secretive Revenge of the Sith scene might suggest that he had more agency than originally believed.

Star Wars’ Jar Jar Binks Is Actually Way More Complex Than You Realize

It’s not clear how much Lucas’ plans for Jar Jar changed after the reaction to The Phantom Menace, as it’s possible that he was originally intended to have a bigger role before receiving so much hate. However, Jar Jar’s story arc is an important part of the Star Wars saga because he showcases the power of influence that both the dark and light sides of the force have. It’s after Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) praises Jar Jar that he helps to broker the deal between the humans and Gungans in The Phantom Menace, but Palpatine was able to take advantage of his gullibility by convincing him that he was acting in good faith.

There doesn’t seem to be any immediate plans to reveal more deleted scenes from Revenge of the Sith, especially since nothing was announced during the film’s 20th anniversary in 2025. However, Jar Jar’s story still feels unfinished because he hasn’t been given the chance to atone for his mistakes in any of the films or shows. Although Best hasn’t played the character since providing his voice for a few episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, he appeared in the third season of The Mandalorian as a new Jedi character. Given that the Star Wars prequel trilogy has experienced a resurgence in popularity now that those who grew up with the films have become more vocal, there is perhaps some reason to hope that the saga of Jar Jar isn’t quite over.

Dolly Parton was forced to make the difficult decision of postponing her highly anticipated Las Vegas residency in October 2025. This came as the global superstar had been plagued with health issues. Now, several months later, the 80-year-old “Jolene” singer has canceled the engagement.

Parton took to her official social media channels on May 4 to post a more than five-minute-long video. She began, “Well, hey there, it’s Dolly, and I’m here to give you an update on a few things going on in my life.”

From there, she shared that the news was “concerning [her] health, before saying, “I have some good news and a little bad news. But the good news is I’m responding really well to meds and treatments, and I’m improving every day.”

Regarding the “bad news,” Parton stated that “it’s gonna take me a little while before I’m up to stage performance level because some of the meds and treatments make me a little swimmy-headed, as my grandma used to say.”

The music icon went on to mention the demands of her show, the heels and heavy wardrobe, before comparing her health to a classic car that “can better than ever,” after being “restored.”

Dolly Went Into Specifics About Her Health

As the video continued, the singer spoke candidly about her health. According to her, “I’ve told you before that I’ve always had problems with my kidney stones. Lord, they dig more stones out of me a year than the rock quarry in Rockwood, Tenn. But seriously, my immune system and my digestive system got all out of whack over the past couple of years, and they’re working real hard on rebuilding their strength.”

After that, she admitted that her humor in the video was an attempt to remain positive. Parton said, “Anyway, I know I’m being silly, but I’m just tryin’ to keep everything light and airy.”

Later, Parton stated that she was “truly sorry” to those who had tickets to the Las Vegas residency and hoped they could make it to New York to see her upcoming musical.

Fans Are Rallying Around The ‘Jolene’ Singer

Parton has experienced quite a bit over the last few years in addition to her health concerns. Notably, her husband, Carl Thomas Dean, passed away in March 2025. Because of this, she’s received a ton of support from her fans following the announcement that she has canceled her Las Vegas residency.

One person said on X, “The stage can wait, take care of your health, and everything else will take care of itself. Bless you.” Someone else wrote, “You are the only person in the world who could turn medical news into something sweet and hilarious. God bless you, Dolly.”

A different social media user stated, “Always prioritize your health first, Dolly! Never feel bad for that, we love you!”

Lastly, another fan wrote, “Sending you all the love and hugs I can muster and praying for a complete healing for you, my dear!”

The Music Legend Also Spoke About Her Husband

Elsewhere in Parton’s May 2026 video, she mentioned her late husband, noting the support she’s received and how difficult life has been without him.

She said, “A lot of you have been concerned about me and Carl, and you were so great about that. But after going through a year of firsts, I mean the holidays, and especially our wedding anniversary, and the date of his death, March. 3, that was hard for me.”

Parton went on, “But I will always love him, and I will always miss him, but you would be surprised how much your love and concern meant to me during that time. Lord, my house and my porch looked like the botanical gardens….from the bottom of my heart I thank you; you have been a big part of my healing.”

Dolly Is Coming To Broadway

Parton’s story will soon be told on the Broadway stage in the production “Dolly: A True Original Musical.” The show premiered in Nashville in the summer of 2025. Now, it’s expected to open on the Big White Way either later in 2026 or early in 2027.

According to the show’s official website, three actresses portray Parton across three periods of her life. They are: Katie Rose Clarke, Carrie St. Louis, and Quinn Titcomb. The show is being directed by Bartlett Sher.

By Joshua Tyler
| Published 1 hour ago

Predators wants to be the sequel that John McTiernan’s 1987 movie Predator deserved, and while it’s better than many of the earlier sequels it got, I’m not sure that’s saying much. After Predator 2 and the AvP movies, the bar was pretty low.

Still, give director Nimrod Antal’s 2010 take on the franchise some credit: It tries. It really does. That’s more than you can say for some prior efforts. There’s an obvious affection for the iconic alien hunters in the material, and even more affection for the original film, which they’re aiming to be a direct successor to. It’s enough to make it worth watching, but at the time, it was not as much as this franchise’s audience deserved.

Unlike all the other attempts at resurrecting Predator, this one at least had a good idea for a story. It starts with an unconscious man, free-falling from a great height. He awakens in mid-air and starts screaming.

It’s a genius way to start a movie, or it would be, if this scene were even remotely scary. The camera falls with him, plummeting at an insane pace through whipping wind and dizzying heights. This scene should be terrifying. Or if it isn’t terrifying, it should at least be thrilling. It is neither, and it’s just the first of many scenes that seem like they should really work on paper, but somehow, when they actually end up on screen, don’t.

Part of the reason the original Predator is so good is that it’s flat out scary. It’s a horror movie more than an action movie, and though you never get to know the characters in it intimately, you’re rooting for them to survive.

It’s a brutal film, full of gore and violence, which only serves to heighten the thing’s gritty reality. You believe that Dutch and his crew are being stalked by some sort of ultimate, unstoppable killing machine, and it’s utterly terrifying. You care about Dutch not because he has a lot of heartfelt talks with his soldiers, but because he’s simply that badass. Predators tries desperately to duplicate all of that and can’t.

There’s not a single edge-of-your-seat moment anywhere in Predators. It’s not scary. Not even a little. It never gets any better than that opening freefall: crazy things keep happening on screen, things which seem like they should be thrilling, but somehow never are.

Antal doesn’t really seem to have a knack for this sort of storytelling. He points his camera at what’s happening, but he’s either incapable or uninterested in doing anything to build tension.

It’s obvious from the beginning what’s going to happen. Take the plot of the original Predator, add a few more aliens, and make the human characters less sympathetic, and you have Predators.

On paper, it shouldn’t be this similar. We’re told repeatedly throughout the film that this plot is different. The original movie was about special forces soldiers dropped into a jungle where they encounter a lone Predator. This one is about a group of killers, kidnapped and dropped on an alien planet where they’re hunted for sport.

But aside from the occasional bout of mania, the killers act pretty much like any military unit, and aside from a single scene in which we see a bunch of weird moons, the alien planet looks exactly like that same Earth jungle we saw Dutch running around in back in 1987.

Predators contains more than one Predator, and that should be different. Except we rarely see more than two of them on screen at any time. Most of the movie’s battles pit a single Predator against a single human.

Predators sets out to pay homage to the original movie by echoing it, but instead it mostly ends up duplicating it. It’s a well-made film, but you won’t be thrilled by it, excited by it, or scared by it. Adrien Brody is a surprisingly convincing badass, and the sets are actual constructs rather than just a lame explosion of CGI. That’s nice, but a lot of it feels dated in a way the original 80s movie still doesn’t.

In spite of these issues, if you’re a Predator fan, if you missed it the first time around, I’d recommend streaming Predators. A brief appearance by Laurence Fishburne gives the movie enough life to keep you interested, and even if it’s not shot in a way that’s all that exciting, the movie has a few good ideas.

Predator versus Samurai? It’s every sci-fi fan’s dream. You’ll see it, enjoy it, and forget about it. Good enough.

Predators is currently available to stream on Hulu.